BoatUS Bestows Civic Awards

to 3 America’s Boating Club Squadrons in FL, NC, NY

Giving back to the boating community

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 11, 2020 – At America’s Boating Club (formerly US Power Squadrons) Annual Meeting held recently in Jacksonville, Florida, three Squadrons from Florida, North Carolina and New York honored with Distinguished Civic Service Awards. Sponsored by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the awards are given annually to club Squadrons in recognition of exceptional service and public boating safety education and service to the boating community.

The three award recipients were Peace River Sail and Power Squadron, Cape Fear Sail and Power Squadron, and Patchogue Bay Power Squadron.

Florida’s Peace River squadron was singled out for its work with the Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Marine Advisory Commission, and Englewood Chamber of Commerce. As part of the Weather Ready Nation, the squadron participated in child drowning prevention and awareness programs, supported Hook Kids on Fishing, got their hands dirty when participating in the Charlotte Harbor Coastal Clean-up, and created fishing and boating events focused on children with special needs.

North Carolina’s Cape Fear Sail and Power Squadron earned accolades for offering an optional course-extension, a “teaching cruise,” supported their local community college by donating to the Marine Technology Scholarship Fund, and were also Weather Ready Nation Ambassadors to help keep keen eye on environmental issues in their area. They also assisted Cape Fear River Watch, participated in the North Carolina Clean Boater Program, supported the Coastal Plain Conservation Group, and completed a river clean up.

New York’s Patchogue Bay Power Squadron was honored for its success working on the National Safe Boating Week campaign, earning local support from the Village of Patchogue, the town of Brookhaven, West Marine, the U.S. Coast Guard, Patchogue Fire Department, Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau, Fire Island National Seashore. The group earned local TV coverage for its efforts helping to keep boaters safe.

BoatUS Foundation Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner, who presented the awards said, “Power Squadron members have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share, and these awards show they are having a positive impact on their local boating community.”



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